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Mar 13, 2012
03/12
by
Lawrence Manzo
audio
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I'm excited to announce that the first episode of my podcast about the Mahabharata is now available. There are more episodes to come shortly. This one is just a brief introduction to let you know what this project is all about.
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Topics: Ancient India, Epic, Mahabharata, Podcast, India, Mahabharat
In this first episode on Paul and his communities, we look at autobiographical statements by Paul as a way of introducing Paul and his letters from an historical perspective. This is part of series one (Paul and his Communities) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast. (Episode re-edited and improved January 29, 2009.)
Topics: history, early christianity, new testament, apostle paul, religion, ancient history, early...
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The first episode of Evolution 101.
This second episode looks at the situation among followers of Jesus at Thessalonica in Macedonia in the mid-first century. Considering the ethnic and social makeup of the earliest Christians, this episode also discusses two main problems faced by these followers of Jesus: “afflictions” and the death of fellow-followers of Jesus. This prepares the way for episode three, which will look at how Paul responds to this situation in his letter, known as 1 Thessalonians in the New Testament. This...
Topics: history, Christianity, early christianity, christian origins, new testament, judaism, apostle paul,...
This third episode looks at Paul's response to followers of Jesus at Thessalonica, including his attempt to comfort these socially dislocated Christians, his use of familial language to build up their identity, and his use of praising (demonstrative) rhetoric. It also begins to consider Paul as an apocalyptic Judean. This episode is part of series one ("Paul and his Communities") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, judaism, new testament, 1 thessalonians, apostle paul, early christianity,...
29,601
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Mar 13, 2012
03/12
by
Lawrence Manzo
audio
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The story begins. In this episode I describe how the Mahabharata begins, with the storyteller Ugrasravas telling the hermits in the forest about the great Snake Sacrifice of King Janamejaya, and how Vyasa's composition was told during the festivities.
Topics: Janamejaya, Mahabharata, Naimisha Forest, Snake Sacrifice, Ugrasravas
This fourth episode is part one of three that look at the followers of Jesus at Corinth through Paul's letter known as 1 Corinthians in the New Testament. After discussing the city of Corinth, I go on to consider the history of Paul's interactions with these Christians, which was characterized by rocky relations. Then we delve into the situation among the Corinthians that led Paul to write his letter, primarily the issue of social and religious divisions within the Jesus groups at Corinth (in 1...
Topics: early Christianity, christian origins, apostle paul, 1 corinthians, corinth, greco-roman world,...
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A look at some of the inaccurate portrayals of evolution by those with good and bad intentions.
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27,322
27K
Jan 10, 2014
01/14
by
Retroist
audio
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On this week's show we talk about the greatest film about a world run by apes, 1968's "Planet of the Apes". I talk about how easily distracted I am by anything Planet of the Apes related when they are on the television. Then I talk about the book, the people in front of and behind the camera, the music, plot and much much more. I am joined again by Vic Sage who does another great "Why Should I know this Person". This week, Vic tells you why you should know the very...
Topics: retro, nostalgia, movies, planet of the apes
This fifth episode continues discussion of the situation at Corinth as reflected in chapters 6-15 of 1 Corinthians, dealing with problems that arose due to the socially superior position of some Corinthian Christians and the spiritually superior claims of others. This episode is part of series one ("Paul and his Communities") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, new testament, bible, 1 corinthians, christian origins, greco-roman religion,...
Here I discuss some introductory issues regarding the gospels, including their status as ancient biographies or portraits of Jesus and the literary relationships among the synoptic gospels. This sets the stage for an historical and literary study of portraits of Jesus in Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. This episode is part of series two ("Early Christian Portraits of Jesus") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast, which is connected with the blog of the same name at
Topics: Jesus, early christianity, ancient biographies, gospels, synoptic gospels, ancient history,...
Here I consider how Jesus is portrayed in the narrative of the gospel of Mark, namely as the secretive and suffering Son of God (part 1 of 2). I discuss Mark's use of literary irony in connection with the secrecy issue and cover critical points at which Jesus' identity comes to the fore in this ancient biography written for a Gentile (non-Judean) audience. This episode is part of series two ("Early Christian Portraits of Jesus") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast,...
Topics: Jesus, Gospels, early christianity, christian origins, bible, new testament, ancient history,...
This episode considers Paul's response to the ethnic divisions that existed among groups of Jesus-followers at Rome. Here I discuss Paul's main arguments regarding the equally condemnable and equally save-able status of both Judeans and Greeks (or Gentiles), as well as Paul's view that "all Israel will be saved". This series is part of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast, connected with the blog of the same name at
Topics: early Christianity, christian origins, bible, new testament, apostle paul, romans, greco-roman...
This episode concludes the discussion of followers of Jesus at Corinth with a focus on Paul's response to the situation (in 1 Corinthians). Here we see Paul's education in Greco-Roman methods of rhetoric or argumentation. Paul's arguments for unity and against divisions provide a clear example of deliberative rhetoric, comparable to political speeches by the likes of Dio Chrysostom. This episode is part of series one ("Paul and his Communities") of the Religions of the Ancient...
Topics: early christianity, new testament, 1 corinthians, apostle paul, christian origins, ancient judaism,...
This episode looks at the situation in Galatia that led Paul to write his letter in the mid-first century (part 1 of 2). After Paul left this region of Asia Minor, certain leaders of the Jesus movement had passed through and discovered Gentiles (non-Judeans) who were not circumcized, despite the fact they thought they belonged to this Judean (Jewish) movement. Here I explore the rationale of these opponents of Paul who advocated circumcision as an entrance requirement into the movement and as a...
Topics: new testament, apostle paul, galatia, galatians, bible, early christianity, christian origins,...
This episode looks at the situation at Rome in the mid-first century that led Paul to write the letter to the Romans, now in the New Testament. In particular, I delve into the purposes in Paul writing and his focus on what he sees as ethnic divisions between Greeks and Judeans in the groups of Jesus-followers. It appears that certain Greek or Gentile followers of Jesus were looking down upon Judean Jesus-followers who were concerned with following the law, including avoidance of foods...
Topics: early Christianity, bible, new testament, apostle paul, romans, judaism, christian origins
This and the following episode look at legacies and interpretations of Paul after his death. In particular, I use several letters written in the name of Paul (the Pastoral epistles) and a novelistic story about Paul and a woman named Thecla (Acts of Paul and Thecla) as a window into debates about leadership of women in groups of Jesus-followers in the second century. These diverging portraits of Paul can be better understood against the background of Greek and Roman criticisms of certain early...
Topics: early christianity, bible, christian origins, new testament, thecla, acts of paul and thecla,...
Here I set the stage for the study of specific Nag Hammadi and related writings by outlining in broad terms some common denominators or assumptions in the range of worldviews traditionally labeled "gnostic". This includes discussion of the Middle Platonic assumptions of many authors. I also deal with the importance of knowledge (gnosis) in the understanding of how salvation from the material realm, which was created by an inferior god, takes place. This is part of series 3...
Topics: early christianity, ancient history, gnosticism, gnostic, christian origins, plato, platonic...
This second episode on Paul's letter to the Galatians looks at Paul's response to the situation involving opponents that were advocating circumcision. I discuss the apocalyptic rationale behind Paul's notion that circumcision was not an entrance requirement for Gentiles to belong to the Jesus groups. In the process, I also begin to deal with Paul's complicated positions regarding the Torah (the law) and its relation to non-Judeans. This series is part of the Religions of the Ancient...
Topics: early Christianity, new testament, bible, christian origins, ancient judaism, greco-roman...
Here I discuss the very Judean portrait of Jesus as the new David and new Moses in the Gospel of Matthew (part 1 of 2). This illustrates well the ways in which ancient biographical writers, including the gospel authors, shaped portraits of the main character using specific types of the past or stereotypes. This is part of series 2 ("Early Christian portraits of Jesus") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, christian origins, church history, gospels, matthew, judaism, ancient history
This final episode in series 1 concludes the discussion of the Acts of Paul and Thecla in relation to the Pastoral epistles, addressing the ways in which Paul was used within debates about womens' leadership in second century groups of Jesus-followers. This is the final episode in series 1. Series 2 will take an historical and literary look at the gospels in terms of "Portraits of Jesus in Early Christianity". This episode is part of series one ("Paul and his Communities")...
Topics: early Christianity, history, Christian origins, new Testament, bible, acts of paul and thecla,...
Here I discuss how the gospel of Luke portrays Jesus as a prophet like Elijah, which also entails presenting Jesus as a saviour to the poor and marginalized of society (part 1 of 2). In this first part, I provide some important background for understanding this two volume work, Luke-Acts, both as ancient biography and as ancient history-writing.
Topics: early Christianity, new testament, bible, gospel of luke, gospels, jesus, ancient history,...
Here I discuss how the gospel of John portrays Jesus as both the Word of God and the Son sent by the Father. I also deal with this gospel's stress on the importance of "signs" pointing to Jesus' identity and the way in which Jesus ("Lamb of God") is viewed as a fulfillment of Jewish festivals, especially Passover (part 1 of 2).
Topics: new testament, bible, gospels, gospel of John, early Christianity, Christian origins, ancient...
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A look at the basics of human evolution from Australopithecus to Homo sapiens.
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The scientific concept of species is not as clear as most people think.
This concludes the discussion of how Jesus is portrayed in the narrative of the gospel of Mark, namely as the secretive and suffering Son of God (part 2 of 2). This episode is part of series two ("Early Christian Portraits of Jesus") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast, which is connected with the blog of the same name at
Topics: bible, gospels, new testament, mark, ancient history
Here I begin to explain the worldview of the Apocryphon of John, one of the Nag Hammadi writings (part 1 of 2). Like other writings in that collection, this author makes a clear distinction between the perfect spiritual realm, also known as the "fullness", and an inferior material realm created by a jealous god or "ruler" (archon). In this episode I describe the perfect spiritual realm and the process of emanations from the perfect "Invisible Spirit" or...
Topics: early Christianity, ancient history, nag hammadi, apocryphon of john, gnosticism, platonism
21,794
22K
Aug 6, 2006
08/06
by
Zachary Moore
audio
eye 21,794
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How does evolutionary theory explain the fact that humans don't have hair on their body except for a few weird places?
Topics: evolution, pubic hair, naked ape
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22K
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Today is Charles Darwin's birthday- how many people know who he was and what he did?
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A look at the function of sex and some of the reasons why it has been favored by evolution.
Here I delve into the issue of diversity in early Christianity by using the opponents in John's epistles as a starting point (part 1 of 2). These epistles provide evidence of an early Christian schism over how to view Jesus' humanity. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
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Topics: early Christianity, New Testament, Bible, Gospel of John, Epistles, history
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21K
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Evolution critics say that evolution is random. They're both right and wrong.
This episode is the first of three that introduce key historical sources and problems in reconstructing the life of a peasant from Galilee, the historical Jesus. This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, jesus, historical jesus, judaism, christian origins
Here I continue to discuss how the gospel of John portrays Jesus as both the Word of God and the Son sent by the Father (part 2 of 2).
Topics: jesus, bible, new testament, gospels, gospel of John, ancient history, early christianity,...
Beginning with James the brother of Jesus and the Jerusalem church, here I trace evidence for Judean followers of Jesus and discuss their gradual marginalization. In particular, I focus attention on Jewish-Christian groups that the patristic sources (e.g. Irenaeus, Epiphanius) label "the Ebionites", or "poor ones". This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, christian origins, judaism, ancient history, ebionites, james the just, new...
Here I continue the discussion of Matthew's portrait of Jesus as the new David and new Moses (part 2 of 2). I also delve into tensions between the Matthean community and other groups of Judeans in the late first century. This is part of series 2 ("Early Christian portraits of Jesus") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, christian origins, new testament, matthew, gospels, jesus, ancient history
Here I continue to discuss how the gospel of Luke portrays Jesus as a prophet like Elijah, which also entails presenting Jesus as a saviour to the poor and marginalized of society (part 1 of 2).
Topics: gospels, jesus, early christianity, new testament, bible, gospel of luke, ancient history
Here I explore Marcionite forms of Christianity, which contrast significantly to the Judean forms discussed in the previous episode. Followers of Marcion believed that the legalistic God of the Hebrew Bible was to be distinguished from the loving, unknown Father-God who sent Jesus, and that Law was opposed to Gospel. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: marcion, heresies, diversity, early Christianity, christian origins, ancient history
Here I discuss two main groups of opponents combated by Ignatius of Antioch in his letters to followers of Jesus in Asia Minor (Turkey): Docetic and Judaizing opponents (part 1 of 2). This episode introduces Ignatius (who wrote in the early second century) and explains the position of his docetic opponents, who thought that Jesus only appeared to be human when in fact he was a divine being. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the...
Topics: early Christianity, heresies, new testament, bible, apostolic fathers, ignatius of antioch,...
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audio
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Is the human genome full of junk, or is it important for proper genetic function?
Here I use the region of Asia Minor (Turkey) as a case study that allows me to outline various strands and styles within Christianity in the first and second centuries. I then go on to outline our approach to studying the worldviews and practices of Christian groups and "heresies" in the second and third centuries. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, new testament, bible, christian origins, paul, history, ancient history,...
Here I use two related Nag Hammadi writings -- Eugnostos the Blessed and The Sophia of Jesus Christ -- as a window into forms of Christianity that were heavily influenced by Middle Platonic philosophy, particularly in regard to cosmology and the divine Triad. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, plato, philosophy, gnosticism, gnostic, sophia
Here I continue to delve into the opponents in John's epistles (part 2 of 2). These epistles provide evidence of an early Christian schism over how to view Jesus' humanity. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, bible, new testament, heresies, christian origins
Here I conclude the discussion of Ignatius by discussing his Judaizing opponents, who advocated certain Jewish beliefs and practices. I also deal with Ignatius' strategies in combating groups he considered heretical. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, christian origins, new testament, bible, ignatius of antioch, heresies, history
Here I sketch out our main sources for the study of diverse Christian groups or "heresies" in the second and third centuries, including discussion of the early Christian Apocrypha, the Nag Hammadi writings, and the Church Fathers, or patristic writings. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, apocrypha, nag hammadi, gnosticism, gnostic, church fathers, patristic, new...
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20K
Jul 9, 2006
07/06
by
Zachary Moore, Ph.D.
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Is a biological foundation of homosexuality precluded by evolutionary theory?
Topics: evolution, homosexuality
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A short primer on the basics of molecular biology.
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Jul 2, 2006
07/06
by
Zachary Moore, Ph.D.
audio
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Is there any evidence against evolutionary theory that has been produced by those who deny it?
Topics: evolution, creationism, intelligent design
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19K
Jul 6, 2017
07/17
by
LoadingReadyRun
audio
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An in-studio interview with Ball Hinkley, Richter's new flight, on-location arts reporting, and Derek interviews Bertha Burpwinter.
Topics: loadingreadyrun, comedy, funny, sketch comedy, improv, radio, nightvale, hilarious, nsburg,...
Here I discuss the Gospel of Philip (perhaps best known in connection with the Da Vinci Code). This episode deals with the author's worldview and ideas about the condition of humanity, preparing the way for a second episode on the practices and rituals that enacted salvation. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early Christianity: 'Heresies' and Struggles") of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early Christianity, gnosticism, gospels, gospel of philip
Here I continue to explore Jewish followers of Jesus by examining key passages in an apocryphal novel attributed to Clement of Rome, also known as the Pseudo-Clementine writings. In particular, an opening letter claiming to be written by Peter to James and the story of Peter's debates with Simon Magus (a cipher for Paul) provide glimpses into struggles between Jewish followers of Jesus and others, including Pauline forms of Christianity. This is part of series 3 ("Diversity in Early...
Topics: early Christianity, pseudo-clementine, apocrypha, paul, peter, bible, new testament, early...
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Why are evolutionary biologists interested in developmental biology?
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Aug 27, 2006
08/06
by
Zachary Moore
audio
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Those who argue against evolution claim that is is racist, and has been used to justify horrible acts of instutitional racism. Is this supported by the theory?
Topics: evolution, racism
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Part 6 of the Molecular Evidence for Evolution
Here I discuss the way in which people in Roman times believed that gods saved them in their daily lives, focusing on the case of the healing sanctuary of Asklepios (Asclepius) at Pergamon (Pergamum). This is part of series 4 (Honouring the Gods in the Roman Empire) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: asklepios, asclepius, aesculapius, healing, roman empire, ancient religion, greco-roman religion,...
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Part 2 of the Molecular Evidence for Evolution
This episode is the third of three that introduce key historical sources and problems in reconstructing the life of a peasant from Galilee, the historical Jesus. This is part of series 5 (The Historical Jesus in Context) of the Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean podcast.
Topics: early christianity, jesus, historical jesus, judaism, new testament
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Part 1 of the Molecular Evidence for Evolution
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A look at the concept of the "transitional species" and several examples.
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A look at the science behind the techinque of radiometric dating. Also, listener email!
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17,540
18K
Jul 24, 2006
07/06
by
Zachary Moore, Ph.D.
audio
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Critics of evolutionary theory say that this concept represents a fatal controversy. Are they right?
Topics: evolution, punctuated equilibrium
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A look at one of the most popular, but unscientific, arguments by a scientist who disagrees with evolutionary theory.
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Jul 30, 2006
07/06
by
Zachary Moore, Ph.D.
audio
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Men have nipples, and yet they don't use them for lactation. How does evolutionary theory explain this?
Topics: evolution, lactation, nipples
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Sep 10, 2006
09/06
by
Zachary Moore
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Although I've stated that human and chimp genes only differ by 3%, is there any difference more substantial in our DNA?
Topics: evolution, HAR1
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Part 3 of the Molecular Evidence for Evolution.
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Is the Mitochondrial Eve a scientific fact or just another myth?
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Aug 14, 2006
08/06
by
Zachary Moore
audio
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Information Theory
Topics: evolution, information theory
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Part 4 of the Molecular Evidence for Evolution
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Mar 13, 2012
03/12
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Lawrence Manzo
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The episodes are getting a little longer now, as the stories get more detailed. Before the book gets to the "direct line" of characters, it takes a bit of a detour to introduce some of the important ancestors in the Bharata Dynasty. These include Bharata himself, plus his ancestor Yayati (and his son Puru), as well as Bharata's descendent Kuru. The sketches are in fact quite brief, and the lengthy portions are generally about very specific aspects of their lives. In the case of...
Topics: Bharata, Dushanta, Kuru, Puru, Shakuntala, Yayati
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Is evolutionary theory just useful for ivory tower scientists, or is it relevant to practical everyday life?
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Jul 16, 2006
07/06
by
Zachary Moore, Ph.D.
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This week, I answer several listener questions submitted by email.
Topic: evolution
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Part 5 of the Molecular Evidence for Evolution
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Mar 14, 2013
03/13
by
Thomas Gideon
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This is a feature cast, an episode of The Command Line Podcast. There is now hacker word of the week this week. The feature this week is an event recording of Cory Doctorow from his recent book tour for "Homeland", the sequel to "Little Brother". Special thanks to Busboys and Poets and Teaching for Change for setting up a space in DC for his talk. View the detailed show notes online .
Topics: podcast, feature
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Jul 5, 2006
07/06
by
Travus T. Hipp - Cabale News Services
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"All The News You Never Knew You Needed To Know ...Until Now." In The News: Segment 1 - 7 AM PDT: It was a "Rockets Red Glare" weekend: Discovery Space Shuttle launches, cameras onboard record alot of debris falling from craft... North Korea gets it up too, and theirs made it 35 seconds or so before an abort which lands the missle in the South China Sea along with 6 other medium rangers launched simultaneously. Japan is not pleased and the UN security council is holding an...
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Topics: Travus T. Hipp Morning News & Commentary, Spoken Word, News, Commentary
Source: KPIG Radio Freedom California
Here I explore other building blocks of Satan's story from Israelite culture by looking at arrogant foreign kings and angels or messengers of God in the Hebrew Bible.
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Topics: Satan, Judaism, Israelite culture, Hebrew Bible, Devil, religion, ancient history
